The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

State to penalize those who expose law enforcement officers to fentanyl

By

(The Center Square) — Penalties are set to increase in the Sunshine State for those who expose law enforcement officers to fentanyl, after new legislation was signed Monday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate bills 718 and 66. The first creates a second-degree felony for any adult individual who recklessly exposes first responders to fentanyl that results in an overdose or serious bodily harm.

SB 718 also expands protections for individuals against prosecution if they seek help for themselves or someone else if they believe an overdose is happening. SB 66 designates June 6 as Revive Awareness Day, while directing the Florida Department of Health to raise awareness of the dangers of exposure to opioids.

(Ron Rogers/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

DeSantis said during a news conference in Sanford there is a huge amount of fentanyl pouring over the southern border from Mexico. He also added that this has had a huge impact on communities throughout the U.S.

“It’s not just a southern border problem; this fentanyl ends up in communities from coast to coast,” DeSantis said. “We have been setting records as a country for the amount of opioid overdose deaths, driven by fentanyl coming across the southern border.”

DeSantis noted that the state of Florida has done what it could to help with the southern border, including sending state troopers, other law enforcement and the State Guard to Texas to help stem the flow of undocumented migrants.

“We’re happy to do that because I think it’s an American problem, not just a Texas problem, and the Federal government is really just not doing the job that it needs to do and has really helped facilitate the mess that we’re in,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis stated that fentanyl is often laced into other recreational drugs, which is causing more people to overdose, essentially poisoning them.

“Maybe someone buys the pill thinking it is something else, it’s laced with fentanyl, then all of a sudden that one pill could be enough to kill somebody,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also noted that the Biden administration is responsible for this crisis and that the new legislation will help curb some of that by keeping first responders safer in their jobs.

“Because of the Biden administration’s unwillingness to secure the southern border, law enforcement officers are encountering fentanyl at alarming rates. I’m signing legislation today to keep officers safe on the job, and to further combat the opioid epidemic.” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also expanded the state’s Coordinated Opioid Response (CORE) network from 12 counties to 29.

“Opioid addiction has been a scourge in the lives of too many Floridians and too many Americans around the country,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “Thanks to Gov. DeSantis and the support of our legislators, we are continuing to take steps to address this human tragedy. CORE’s expansion will support and treat more Floridians and serve as a model for states around the country.”

Published April 17, 2024

What every mom and soon-to-be-mom needs to know about their heart

By

Over the last three decades, the United States has seen pregnancy-related deaths rise nearly 140%, and heart disease continues to be the leading cause. Furthermore, women who have prenatal complications, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, have a significantly higher risk of heart disease and stroke later in life, yet many are not getting the care they need.

According to the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT), an advocacy collaborative working to pass policies that make it possible for all expectant parents, infants and toddlers to thrive, the United States is in the midst of a maternal health crisis.

(Giulia Bertelli/Unsplash)

This sentiment is echoed by “Opportunities in the Postpartum Period to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk Following Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes,” a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA), which was recently published in “Circulation,” the Association’s flagship peer-reviewed journal.

“Healthcare professionals and the public alike often think of heart disease as a man’s disease. While heart disease is also the leading cause of death for women, fewer than 50% of women identify it as such. This is creating a dangerous situation for women, especially during higher-risk periods of their life, as their symptoms often go undiagnosed and untreated,” says Dr. Sadiya S. Khan, one of the statement’s authors. “As adverse pregnancy outcomes become increasingly common, it’s important for women to be aware of their risk for heart disease, the actions they can take to lower their risk if they experience pregnancy complications, and for birth justice policy interventions to take place that will improve their care during their pregnancy, and throughout their lifetimes.”

Many women face significant barriers in accessing primary care after delivery. Up to 40% of women do not access postpartum care, and only an estimated 18% to 25% of postpartum patients with pregnancy complications or chronic health conditions are seen by a primary care clinician within 6 months of delivery. Women of color, and women in rural areas are disproportionately impacted by barriers to care that could leave them vulnerable to further health complications.

According to NCIT, policy interventions such as expanded Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum in all states, expanded income eligibility for health insurance programs, paid family and medical leave, community-based doulas, and evidence-based home visiting programs can help promote ethnic, racial and socioeconomic birth equity, and help ensure all expectant and new parents have access to insurance, care and the supports needed to thrive.

Also supporting women in all stages of life, and all stages of pregnancy is Go Red for Women, an AHA initiative empowering women to take charge of their heart health. One way they can do that, according to the initiative, is by understanding their heart disease risks, and coming to their doctors’ appointments prepared to discuss their personal and family health history and other factors that could impact their chance of a healthy pregnancy. Women can also proactively manage their heart disease risk factors during pregnancy and after delivery using the AHA’s Life Essential 8 cardiovascular health metrics as a framework. These include: eating better, being more active, quitting tobacco, getting healthy sleep, managing weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood sugar and managing blood pressure.

“Stemming the tide of this maternal health crisis is vital for families, and it starts with bringing light to the tremendous need for better delivery of care to moms and soon-to-be moms with a focus on heart health,” says Dr. Khan.

-StatePoint

Published April 17, 2024

Health News 04/17/2024

By

AdventHealth of Florida offers safe sleep education to parents and caregivers. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Safe Sleep designation
AdventHealth Heart of Florida achieved the Gold Level Safe Sleep designation from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, the highest recognition possible, for its commitment to reducing the risks of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB), SIDS and unsafe sleep injuries, according to a news release.

The hospital provides extensive training to its health care team on safe sleep practices and offers safe sleep education to parents and caregivers.

Providers also help identify at-risk families who need a safe sleep space for their infant and provide one, free of charge, before they are discharged from the hospital.

Team members also go into the community and teach about safe sleep practices through outreach events.

Mental health trainings
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s Organizational Development team is offering group mental health training to anyone interested in learning about behavioral health to better serve their clients, students, kids, employees or customers.

These sessions provide education and training on recognizing signs and symptoms and learning how to provide appropriate and safe support.

Available trainings include: Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Care, LivingWorks ASIST (suicide prevention), SafeTALK (suicide prevention), Crisis De-Escalation, Burnout, Resiliency in the Workplace, Mindfulness, and Managing Stress and Self-Care.

Many of these trainings can be modified or packaged together to meet an organization’s specific needs. Some can be done virtually, depending on the requirements.

For more information, visit CrisisCenter.com/training.

Beds for the underserved
AdventHealth North Pinellas recently partnered on April 5 with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for underserved children in Pinellas County.

On average, up to 8,000 children go to sleep in Tampa Bay without the security and comfort of a bed, according to Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep is crucial in the development of young minds and having a safe and comfortable place to get a good night’s rest is essential.

Dozens of hospital team members helped to build about 40 to 50 beds for children. Each bed costs $250 in materials and includes new bedding, mattress and a pillow.

In 2023, Sleep in Heavenly Peace provided 1,000 beds to children (about 600 in Pinellas County).

For more information about the organization, visit https://shpbeds.org/.

New heart procedure offered
AdventHealth Heart of Florida is now offering transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a minimally invasive surgery for treating carotid artery disease and preventing future strokes, according to a news release.

TCAR is an alternative procedure where a surgeon works through a small incision to stabilize plaque from inside the artery and restore normal blood flow to the brain. Most patients can go home the day after the procedure and resume normal activities quickly, the release says.

Patients at risk for carotid artery disease may have high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or a smoking habit, or a vascular disease.

To learn more about stroke and aneurysm care, visit PolkStrokeExperts.com.

Health News 04/10/2024

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Stitched with love for patient recovery
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members Melba Peneira and Gail Howard delivered bundles of hand-sewn pillows to AdventHealth Tampa and the Moffitt Cancer Center. These pillows help to provide comfort to post-surgery breast cancer patients and are made by a team from the woman’s club. For information, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Drug disposal bags available
Pasco County Fire Rescue is providing drug disposal bags at every fire station in the county — free for pickup by members of the community — in partnership with the Alliance for Health Communities (AHC), according to a news release.

The Deterra Drug Deactivation System Pouches use a chemical to deactivate the drugs, preventing environmental contamination and rendering the medication unusable. The medication can simply be dropped in the bag, water added, and the medication becomes deactivated.

Pasco Fire Rescue will become the largest department in the country with the risk reduction tool, now available at all of the county’s nearly 30 fire rescue stations, the release says. The bags also are available on all fire engines and will soon be available in Fire Rescue staff vehicles.

Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Perez said it is an easy, simple way for people to get rid of unused or unnecessary medication….keeping the medication out of the wrong hands, which helps keep the community safe. The bags are available at no cost to the community through AHC.

For more information, email .

Ridge Community High School Principal Angela Clark accepted the donations from Tim Clark, president and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk market. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Heart of Florida)

Hospital partners with school
As part of an ongoing partnership between AdventHealth Heart of Florida and Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Tim Clark, president and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk market, donated medical supplies to the school and Principal Angela Clark.

Clark asked the health academy leaders what sort of equipment the students needed to help as they progress through the four years in the health care academies. The answer: blood pressure (bp) cuffs of different sizes and new stethoscopes. The hospital donated 15 stethoscopes and 20 bp cuffs to the students, according to a news release.

The community school offers students opportunities to learn trade skills in academies, like the health care academy. Students work through rigorous programs learning marketable and employable skills to their chosen industry. Participants also work with community partners to learn and apply the skills they’ve learned.

Safe Haven saves its 393rd baby

By

A Safe Haven for Newborns is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Florida dedicated to ending infant abandonment and recently recorded its 393rd baby saved, according to a news release.

In its 23-year partnership with hospitals, fire stations and EMS, Safe Haven is making a positive impact and saving two lives: the mother’s and the infant’s.

All services are provided at no cost to the expectant mother while protecting her right to privacy.

Safe Haven’s current statistics include:

  • 393 A Safe Haven for Newborns babies saved since July 2000
  • 300+ newborns not abandoned in Florida, left at Safe Haven (Fire/EMS and hospitals)
  • Over 6,000 girls/women assisted in their time of need or crisis
  • 72 mothers, their anonymity not a concern, choose to place their baby directly with a licensed adoption agency
  • Six parents were helped to successfully regain their parental rights
  • Nine newborns saved from abandonment in other states and one newborn saved in the country of Honduras

To learn more about Safe Haven for Newborns’ mission, visit ASafeHavenForNewborns.com.

Hospital receives excellence award

By

HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital was recognized as a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor, according to a news release.

Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine this year’s top-performing hospitals for patient safety.

The organization revealed that patients treated in hospitals receiving this award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals, the release says.

These indicators include:

  • In-hospital fall resulting in fracture (approximately 52% less likely)
  • Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (about 56% less likely)
  • Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (about 67% less likely)
  • Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (about 71% less likely)

“HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital has cultivated an outstanding safety culture that prioritizes the well-being of both patients and staff, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades, in the release.

Emergency care gets boost with new helicopter

By

AdventHealth West Florida Division launched AdventHealth AirStar 1, a cutting-edge medical helicopter, on March 4, according to a news release.

The helicopter is set to redefine the landscape of patient transfers within the Tampa Bay region and will serve all 13 AdventHealth West Florida Division hospitals, the release says.

The state-of-the-art twin-engine Airbus H135 P3H will be stationed at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, strategically positioned to serve AdventHealth West and Central Florida Divisions.

AirStar will be operated by a team of 12 highly trained medical professionals, including registered flight nurses and certified flight paramedics. Dr. Fredrick Yonteck, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, will serve as the medical director of the flight program, and Dr. Michael Longley, chief medical officer of AdvenHealth North Pinellas, will oversee the division’s patient transfer center.

The aircraft, which is essentially a flying Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be operational 24/7, 365 days a year, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and safety features to guarantee the highest standards of medical transport.

AirStar also will be on standby for community 911 responses, providing rapid medical assistance for trauma, stroke and cardiac alert patients across multiple surrounding counties.

Health News 03/27/2024

By

(Courtesy of Martin Bahl/St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Bringing awareness to colorectal cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz wore special T-shirts and decorated their area to show support and enthusiasm for life-saving colon and rectal cancer screenings. Blue is the color for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early, and a colonoscopy is one of the tests for cancer diagnosis and screening. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North encourages talking to your doctor about colorectal cancer risk and the right time for a screening. The endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is shown here in an endoscopy suite where colonoscopies are performed.

New heart technology
Dr. Deepti Bhandare, vice chair in the Department of Cardiology at AdventHealth Sebring, recently helped in the development of Keno AI, a first-in-market medical device used to automatically detect heart murmurs, according to a news release.

Dr. Bhandare, who is also the director of the hospital’s Heart Failure Program, partnered with Keno Health, a Florida-based startup, to run a study to help improve detection of valvular heart disease (when one or more of the valves in the heart do not work properly). 

“Early detection of abnormal heart murmurs, especially prior to the onset of severe symptoms, is a vital component in screening for valvular heart disease,” Dr. Bhandare said in the release.

The doctor and Keno Health developed an innovative medical device called Keno AI. 

(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

“Keno AI allows physicians to automatically detect heart murmurs easily and quickly without impacting their clinical workflow,” Dr. Bhandare said. “Our innovative device is attached to a stethoscope, does not require any phone or app and could enable early intervention and treatment for patients with undiagnosed valvular heart disease.” 

During this feasibility study, cardiologists used the device to validate the heart murmur accuracy of Keno AI. Cardiologists tested more than 175 people of all different ages, genders, races and variations in body mass index (BMI).
The device had a sensitivity of 93%, showing the device has the ability to detect abnormal heart murmurs. The study also revealed that Keno AI has a 96% specificity, which is the ability to confirm patient’s normal heart sounds.

The study and abstract were accepted into the American College of Cardiology (ACC) journal. The teams also presented results at the ACC conference. 

Keno AI is intended to be used by physicians focused on early screening, heart auscultation, and specialized cardiology treatment, including primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, cardiologists and internists.  

Dr. Bhandare and Keno Health support AdventHealth’s mission to provide exceptional, innovative and viable care to patients.  

Keno Health is launching Keno AI in 2024 and is ready to partner with early adopters at AdventHealth who are interested in utilizing the innovative technology.

Health News 03/20/2024

By

(Courtesy of West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc.)

Sertoma Club commitment on display
The West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc., announced it is a recipient of the 2023-2024 Sertoma Club Grant, marking the club’s continued commitment to volunteer service, charitable support, and community leadership in the New Port Richey area. Funds from the grant will go to benefit the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc., in support of hearing needs of the adults of Florida, which include hearing screenings, hearing aids and other hearing-related needs. Harvey Rhinehart, secretary/treasurer, presents the $2,000 grant to Deborah Golinski, president/CEO of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida. To learn more about the Sertoma club, email , or visit Facebook.com/darrell.huling/.

Tampa General receives donation
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) received a $65,000 donation from Aetna Better Health of Florida, part of Aetna and the CVS Health family, to support the new TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy, according to a news release.

The community hub, built on the concept that “food is medicine,” will enable patients at the TGH Family Care Center Healthpark greater access to nutritious foods and the opportunity to learn how to grow healthy produce in a sustainable way.

TampaWell, activated by TGH in partnership with the City of Tampa, is a “revolutionary health and wellness initiative focused on preventive health to reduce chronic disease and repeated hospitalizations, while supporting the city’s most at-risk residents by addressing underlying social factors that impact health,” the release says.

(Courtesy of Premier Heart and Vascular Center)

New PET/CT technology
During American Heart Month (February), Premier Heart and Vascular Center announced it is one of the first cardiology practices in the Tampa Bay area to offer PET/CT imaging, according to a news release.

The PET/CT Scanner combines state-of-the-art PET and CT technology, allowing cardiologists to detect conditions such as coronary heart disease and damaged heart muscle earlier, with higher accuracy and efficiency, and with reduced radiation.

PET imaging uses very small amounts of radioactive tracers to detect decreased blood flow through the heart. It also can be used to detect less-common diseases such as cardiac amyloid and cardiac sarcoidosis.

The CT imaging creates high resolution pictures of the heart and its blood vessels.

Combined, the PET/CT scan produces extremely detailed 3D images of the heart and surrounding structures, detecting specific conditions, their location, and causes, the release says. The test can be performed in one 45-minute exam.

“We are proud to bring this cutting-edge technology to improve the care of our patients. This technology allows us to accurately diagnose conditions early and initiate important treatment to improve and save lives,” said Dr. Chetan Khamare, interventional cardiologist and partner at Premier Heart and Vascular Center, in the release.

For more information, visit PremierHeartAndVascular.com.

Crisis Center wins award
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received the Community Catalyst Award at the State of Uptown event. The award is presented annually by Soaring City in partnership with the University Area CDC (UACDC) and has a focus on organizations emerging in community leadership, inclusion and growth, according to a news release.

The Crisis Center operates TransCare Medical Transportation, which provides 911 basic life support ambulance service, interfacility transports and emergency behavioral health transports. The award recognizes TransCare’s partnership with Ultimate Medical Academy in operating an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprenticeship program, the release says.

Through the apprenticeship program, students attend classes at Ultimate Medical Academy while receiving on-the-job training and experience working as a behavioral health attendant at TransCare.

Due to grant funding provided by CareerSource, qualifying students are able to have tuition costs covered.

For more information about the EMT apprenticeship program, visit CrisisCenter.com/transcare-uma/.

How to raise a healthy, active child

By

Many factors impact a child or teen’s wellness, including where you live, genetics and other influences. According to experts though, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle for your child, and help prevent obesity and other illnesses that can extend into adulthood.

“Raising a healthy, active child is about much more than nutrition and physical activity,” says Natalie D. Muth, a pediatrician and registered dietician. “It also entails adequate sleep, a positive approach to screen use and social-emotional wellness, and to the best of your ability, helping ensure your surrounding environment supports healthy routines.”

At a time when few children and adolescents meet the recommendations for nutrition and activity, a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living,” offers guidance to help optimize a child’s health regardless of their weight, as well as strategies based on the best science that can also help prevent obesity at every stage, from infancy through adolescence.

(c) Sabrina Bracher / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are some practical tips from the AAP to use to tackle issues within your control:

  • Learn about good nutrition. Visit MyPlate.gov for great ways to take a team approach to planning and making meals so that kids have an active role in what they eat. The site takes into account cultural traditions, giving examples of healthy meals that include familiar foods.
  • Reach for water. Sugary drinks such as 100% fruit juice, sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks account for 24% of added sugar intake in the U.S. diet in people 1 year and older. Consumption contributes significantly to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health risks, according to USDA statistics. Ideally, aim for one sugary drink or fewer per week. Bonus: drinking water cleanses teeth and gums, preventing cavities now while setting the stage for lifelong dental health.
  • Limit ultra-processed foods. It may not be realistic to avoid ultra-processed foods altogether, but try to limit their access and help children and adolescents learn the benefits of eating whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You can also talk with them about the health risks of too much “junk food,” which is generally loaded in sugar and salt, doesn’t increase feelings of fullness, and prompts overeating.
  • Adopt a family media plan. Everyone benefits from sensible screen time limits that make room for healthy activities. Engage kids in creating a plan for the whole family.
  • Move more. It can be challenging to get up and move more, but when you make it a priority, kids benefit. Organized sports aren’t the only option. Your family can also enjoy walking, biking, swimming and dancing. Indoors, you can try active gaming or online fitness classes to strengthen muscles, build coordination and release tension.
  • Manage stress. If your schedule is jammed with so many commitments that there’s no room for healthy downtime, consider what you can let go. Rest rebuilds the body’s systems after the challenges of a tough day or week, so reserve time for it.
  • Lean on support. Not all neighborhoods have safe places for children to play and walk to school, or offer nutritious and affordable food nearby. Additionally, factors like racism, toxic stress, housing or food insecurity and safety risks can impact your child’s health. Creating a safe environment at home, and leaning on the support of schools, health care systems and the wider community can create a healthier life for your child. One important resource is your pediatrician. Talk to the doctor about ways to support an active, healthy lifestyle for your child.

For more tips and resources, visit HealthyChildren.org.

“Remember that feeling loved, seen and appreciated are just as central to your child’s health as nutrition and exercise. The brain and the body are one system — so when kids feel safe and secure, their bodies function well,” says Dr. Muth.

-StatePoint

Published March 13, 2024